Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
McConnell Concedes Bill Might Not Pass, But Reaffirms Need To Shore Up Individual Markets
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he plans to produce a fresh bill in about a week scuttling and replacing much of President Barack Obama's health care law. But he's also acknowledging a Plan B if that effort continues to flounder. (Schreiner and Fram, 7/7)
鈥淣o action is not an alternative,鈥 McConnell said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got the insurance markets imploding all over the country, including in this state.鈥 Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., jumped on the Republican leader's comments, saying聽McConnell "opened the door to bipartisan solutions." (Collins, 7/6)
His suggestion that he and his colleagues might instead try to bolster the insurance exchanges created under the ACA is at odds with Republican talking points that they are beyond repair. The marketplaces were built for people who do not have access to affordable coverage through a job, and at last count slightly more than 10 million Americans had health plans purchased through the exchanges. More than 8 in 10 customers bought their plans with federal subsidies the law provides. (Eilperin and Goldstein, 7/6)
A bill to strengthen the insurance markets would presumably need Democratic support to get 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. McConnell in the past has warned fractious GOP lawmakers that if the Republican-only repeal effort failed, he would be forced to work with top Democrat Chuck Schumer on legislation that conservatives would likely oppose much more than the GOP repeal bill. He repeated that after a White House meeting with the president last week. (Haberkorn, 7/6)
As Republican efforts to get rid of former President Barack Obama's health care law stall in the U.S. Senate, Kentucky's two senators are traveling the state to talk about it. They just aren't talking to each other. U.S. Sen. Rand Paul has emerged as one of the biggest obstacles to passing the Republican answer to the Affordable Care Act, adding another wrinkle in his complex relationship with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. (Beam and Schreiner, 7/7)
Republican have faced a wave of pressure over the July Fourth聽recess to oppose the legislation. They are set to return to Washington on Monday without an agreement on the path forward. (Carney, 7/6)
